My lens making thread.

[commando1]

 

[Zymurgy]

The good and the bad, this would be the bad, not a very good casting day. I messed up and should have opened a new container of the product. I knew I wouldn't hit the color first time so I didn't. As a result there wasn't enough product to fill the cast and got air bubbles as a result too.

My second cast not so hot either but I learned a lesson, don't place your container of resin directly under the air input. When you abruptly open the valve to release the vacuum in your pressure container the product is dispersed through out the container. I only have a 9 minute pot life, so I salvaged as much of the product as I could. I nearly had enough, but I reintroduced air in the resin, resulting in some small bubbles.

I will pour another color lens today, I was hesitant to add too much dye. If I don't get pretty close today, I will go to plan B and make a mold of the small Imperial lens and make it as my color sampler.

 

[mr. fix it]

Still watching...

 

[commando1]

Mike, why aren't you testing on how to get the right color using small simple flat pcs. first?

 

[Zymurgy]

Mike, why aren't you testing on how to get the right color using small simple flat pcs. first?

I thought of that yesterday was going to make a small mold thickness of the lens. When I got the bubbles in lens I was slightly concerned, so I decided to pour another lens.

 

[mr. fix it]

Sometimes we keep our eyes on the end zone for the touchdown and forget about each down it takes to get there.
He just wants to make lenses not test pieces!
I'm guilty of this a few times myself!

 

[Mr C]

Heck, somebody may buy the one with the bubbles in it...as I see it the bubbles would be hidden by the chrome trim.

Absolutely fantastic work.

 

[Zymurgy]

Pretty happy this is a darn close match. I am not pulling it out of the mold yet because it is still warm. The process I use: 3 hours in pressure pot, rest for 6 hours, and then 6 hours in the oven at 155.

This was the first time I took the mold top off. They mention it will take 5-7 days before the resin fully cures.

 

[Ripinator]

Pretty happy this is a pretty darn close match. I am not pulling it out of the mold yet because it is still warm. The process I use: 3 hours in pressure pot, rest for 6 hours, and then 6 hours in the oven at 155.

This was the first time I took the mold top off. They mention it will take 5-7 days before the resin fully cures.

View attachment 170645

Very nice, Mike. You are my hero!

 

[Zymurgy]

I will either pick up or order another batch of the silicone mold material today, so I can get the mold made for the wrap around lens.

 

[Ripinator]

. . . The process I use: 3 hours in pressure pot, rest for 6 hours, and then 6 hours in the oven at 155. . .

This was the first time I took the mold top off. They mention it will take 5-7 days before the resin fully cures.

So, Mike. . . How does your wife feel being without the oven for six hours?

 

[Zymurgy]

So, Mike. . . How does your wife feel being without the oven for six hours?

That is the great part, I have my own oven. I removed all the appliances and cabinets from a customer's kitchen during a remodeling. I now have this nice Jenair double oven that I installled in the basement, it only gets used at Christmas and only one oven.

Bonus I discovered that it has a timed bake option. I set it at 6 hours and can go to bed.

 

[GJS]

That is the great part, I have my own oven. I removed all the appliances and cabinets from a customer's kitchen during a remodeling. I now have this nice Jenair double oven that I installled in the basement, it only gets used at Christmas and only one oven.

Bonus I discovered that it has a timed bake option. I set it at 6 hours and can go to bed.

Jeeez, I thought I had it made having running water in my shop ... pfft.

 

[Fratzog]

 

[rapidtrans]

I have had success removing bubbles from the small pieces i've cast in the past. First i tried tapping the mold box after pouring.
I ended up just setting my hobby compressor on the table and let it run. Just enough vibration to eliminate bubbles.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Awesome job Mike

 

[live4theking]

That is the great part, I have my own oven. I removed all the appliances and cabinets from a customer's kitchen during a remodeling. I now have this nice Jenair double oven that I installed in the basement, it only gets used at Christmas and only one oven.

Bonus I discovered that it has a timed bake option. I set it at 6 hours and can go to bed.

Those look really nice.

 

[Zymurgy]

Here is the side by side comparison really close still a little light.

 

[live4theking]

It still looks incredible to me.

 

[MarPar]

Here is the side by side comparison really close still a little light.

View attachment 170782

Cheese and rice, Mike. looks about dead nuts from where Im sitting. lol